Although many don’t realize this, the way most working class individuals approach retirement has undergone some serious changes over the past 10 years. With several new developments in how plan for our retirement, the future of retiring is forever changed for our children and after.

Here are 5 recent advancements that have changed the way we approach retirement:

Roth IRA- Although the Roth IRA has been around since 1997 when the Tax Payer Relief Act came into play, it has just recently begun to gain traction. Some benefits of this IRA include your money growing and being withdrawn without taxes.

Calculators for Social Security- If you wish to calculate your Social Security benefits under just about every circumstance you can imagine, the internet is your new best friend. Social Security calculators are more popular than ever online and can allow individuals and married couples to see their potential benefits under a number of circumstances.

Research- The baby boomer generation is beginning to reach the age of considering retirement. Because of this boost in information demand, research has increased regarding retirement and its components.

Income Planning Designations- Two new designations have come into play to help retirees assess the products, risks, distributions strategies, and tax considerations as they withdraw from different investments and savings plans.

Recession- After the recent recession that hit the United States, those approaching retirement have realized that a secure plan is needed to live a very simple life after retirement.

At Safe Retirement Solutions, our financial advisors specialize in helping working men and women plan for retirement. We will work with you to devise a plan that meets your needs after retirement. All of your questions will be answered in a way that is easy for you to understand and leaves you feeling secure and confident about your upcoming retirement.

To get started with one of our advisors today, call us at 1-877-268-4086. You can also visit our contact page.

When individuals and couples begin to plan their estate for once they pass, there are several mistakes that can be made along the way. Plenty of attorneys see mistakes made constantly when it comes to estate planning, which is why it can be helpful to hire a financial advisor from Safe Retirement Solutions to assist you in the estate planning process. There is a lot to cover and it can become confusing and overwhelming at times.

Barbara W. Reynolds, an attorney from Connecticut, says that the following are the most common mistakes she has found when dealing with individuals planning their estate:

Power of Attorney- Some people are under the assumption that powers of attorney are the same thing and will last indefinitely. This is not the case at all. Certain documents need to be updated every couple of years and certain levels of power of attorney will cover different things.

Health Care Directive- Individuals may find signing a Health Care Directive unnecessary, but that is not the case at all. A misconception made by a lot of people is that their loved ones will know automatically what their wishes are during medical situations. This is not always the case, which is why it is important to have a Living Will established as well as an individual named who will carry out your wishes. Both are covered under a Health Care Directive.

Will- Many individuals think that a Will isn’t needed until they hit a certain age. Unfortunately, there is never a set date when you will pass away, making a will necessary sooner than you may want to realize.

Assets- You may believe you don’t have any assets, yet you have children under the age of 18. It is important for you to name a guardian for your children should something happen to you, as well as create a trust for your children.

Updates- Often times people create a Will and never return to it. It is important to revisit your documents to make changes that you feel are necessary.

Retirement Benefits- When you name a trust for your retirement benefits, you are risking the individual receiving the assets in one year, which makes the money taxable.

Leaving your Assets- If you leave your assets to those you receive government benefits like Medicaid, their inheritance is left vulnerable to the State. Leaving the inheritance in a trust could make matters easier for the individuals.

Succession- Most business owners fail to consider the transition period of your business should something happen to them. Planning for such an event will help the transition period go simply and will protect your business.

Under-insuring- Consider your dependents when planning your life insurance. You don’t want to leave your family and loved ones in a bad position because you failed to have enough life insurance.

When it comes to avoiding mistakes with estate planning, call the advisors at Safe Retirement Solutions today at 410.266.1120. You can also visit our contact page.

]]>http://saferetirementsolutions.com/blog/financial-planning/estate-planning-mistakes/feed/0Choosing a Power of Attorneyhttp://saferetirementsolutions.com/blog/financial-advice/choosing-a-power-of-attorney/
http://saferetirementsolutions.com/blog/financial-advice/choosing-a-power-of-attorney/#commentsWed, 02 Jul 2014 12:55:58 +0000adminhttp://saferetirementsolutions.com/blog/?p=549When it comes to your peace of mind, selecting a power of attorney agent can go a long way towards ensuring that. As a financial advisor for retirees, Safe Retirement Solutions knows how essential it is for your asset protection that you have a power of attorney agent in the event you become unable to act for yourself. You may become incapacitated for a variety of reasons: accidents, medical emergencies, etc. In cases such as those, you want to have confidence in the fact that your best interests will be prioritized.

A power of attorney agent is the person who will act and make decisions for you in the event that you are unable to do these things for yourself. While many people think of a power of attorney agent only acting for them when it comes to medical decisions, this is not the case. A power of attorney agent can act in many different ways on your behalf, so it is important to discuss with your financial advisor who in your life would be best suited to be your power of attorney agent.

Authorizing one person to act on your behalf could affect your asset protection. A power of attorney agent could have the authority to deposit or withdraw money from your bank accounts, they could file your tax forms, or they could have access to your stock portfolio. A power of attorney agent could also be involved with your non-monetary assets, such as real estate and other kinds of property. Asset protection should be one of your top priorities when you decide to retire; it can mean the difference between you and your family having a secure future versus an uncertain one. When you determine whom you will grant the power of attorney, make sure that it is someone you trust to handle your assets as you would want them handled.

Unlike the executor of a will, who can only handle your estate after your death, the power of attorney agent has the ability to handle your estate during your lifetime, which means the decisions they make on your behalf could affect your future. Be mindful of this when selecting a power of attorney agent, and be sure to consult with a financial advisor as a part of this decision making process.

You have worked hard to enjoy your retirement, so let Safe Retirement Solutions help make that possible. Give us a call at 877-268-4086 or come and visit our offices in Annapolis, Towson, or Columbia, MD.

You can also follow Safe Retirement Solutions on Google+, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!

]]>http://saferetirementsolutions.com/blog/financial-advice/choosing-a-power-of-attorney/feed/0Benefits of a Living Trusthttp://saferetirementsolutions.com/blog/financial-planning/benefits-of-a-living-trust/
http://saferetirementsolutions.com/blog/financial-planning/benefits-of-a-living-trust/#commentsFri, 27 Jun 2014 19:12:59 +0000adminhttp://saferetirementsolutions.com/blog/?p=546It is no secret that having your last wishes in writing before you pass is crucial, especially if you have an estate or property. Most have a last will to explain their final wishes. However, some have started to switch from last wills and instead have living trusts. A living trust is a type of legal document that allows your assets to be placed in a trust while you are still living. After your death, the trust is transferred to the beneficiaries of your choosing by your “successor trustee”, or the representative you chose to handle your assets after your passing.

So why choose a living trust over a last will?

If you prefer your estate and assets to be handled in private, a living trust is the better choice. A living trust is a private document while a will is public record.

With a living trust, the court will not have to intervene if you should fall ill. The trustee of your choice are able to take control of your assets should something happen while those with a will and no durable power of attorney are left at the mercy of the courts. The court will then appoint a person to oversee your financial and property workings while you are unable to do so.

Although a living trust requires more money to be drawn up, it can save your estate money after your passing. With a living trust, court costs are eliminated when it comes to dividing your estate and assets. A living trust is also a stronger document when someone attempts to argue the distribution of your assets, which will also save on court costs.

At Safe Retirement Solutions, we will work with you to decide if a living trust is beneficial for you. We know how stressful and confusing planning and documenting your last wishes can be, so let a trusted and trained financial advisor help you through the steps.

Safe Retirement Solutions has locations in the following areas:

Annapolis, MD

Columbia, MD

Towson, MD

Saint Augustine, FL

With our trained financial advisors, all of your questions will be answered in terms that you can understand and won’t find confusing. To get started with Safe Retirement Solutions, call us today at 877.268.4086 or visit our contact page.

You can also follow Safe Retirement Solutions today on Google+, Facebook, and Twitter.

When it comes to planning for your retirement, there are a lot of ways to do so. In today’s society, planning for your future retirement can be somewhat easy when the correct steps are taken. However, with so many different ways to save comes many different ways to lose your retirement fund. In a recent article written by Alan Gula, a Chief income Analyst for Wall Street Daily, losing money can be avoided when individuals who are saving for retirement attempt to avoid certain “landmines”.

No Diversification- When we hear stories of individuals losing a large amount of money from their retirement fund, we typically find that they were not diversified when saving. Those who place their savings in one sole place are at a higher risk of losing a more significant amount of money as opposed to those who are well diversified when it comes to their retirement savings.

Fees- As Mr. Gula points out in his article, a large amount of brokers are usually given incentives to try and sell products that are high-commissioned, which means high fees for you. Mr. Gula gives a website called Morningstar that shows individuals the risk to reward ratio of products and mutual funds to show them if they should risk purchasing from a certain broker.

REITs- If a broker makes an attempt to sell you on a non-traded real estate investment trust (REIT) you should say no and run the other way. Brokers try to sell REITs by saying they help you to escape the volatility present in the markets. However, these non-traded REITs prevent you from pulling your money if necessary, which could end up as a loss for you in the end.

If you want to avoid casualties like those listed previously, or want to know more about other possible pitfalls when saving for your retirement, talk to an advisor from Safe Retirement Solutions today. Our advisors understand how stressful and complicated saving for your retirement can be and will work with you to make the process as stress-free as possible.

To get started with Safe Retirement Solutions, call us at 877-268-4086 or visit our contact page today.

You can also follow Safe Retirement Solutions today on Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

When you are considering ways to save for your retirement, one of your options is a 401K plan. You may have heard the term thrown around in different conversations, but do you understand how it works or where it came from?

The 401K

The 401K was developed after the Tax Reform Act was passed by Congress in 1978. The act was passed to encourage working individuals to save money for their retirement while having a way to lower their federal and state taxes in the process. The name for the 401K came from its Internal Revenue Code-section 401 and paragraph K. A benefits consultant named Ted Benna created a plan for the 401K in 1981. In 1991, final regulations were published for the 401K plan.

Some of the benefits you receive with a 401K include a lower taxable income, earnings and savings without the need of deposits, and free money from employers. When you begin a 401K, you first tell your employer how much money you wish to have entered in your account. This amount can typically be about 15% of your salary; however your employer does have the option to put a limit to the amount. That money is then entered into your account before taxes are withdrawn. There are also times where your employer will match what you decide to contribute to the 401K. Your money is placed in the hands of an administrator of a third party to be invested in a number of different ways. You can decide which ways to invest your money between bods, money market accounts, and mutual funds, along with other options. There are online calculators like this one that will help you understand how much money your can accumulate depending on how long you have a 401K and how much you decide to contribute to the account.

Your 401K with Safe Retirement Solutions

At Safe Retirement Solutions, we are here to help you plan your retirement. We know that the idea of retiring is daunting and there is a constant fear of outliving your retirement funds. One of our trained and educated advisors can meet with you to decide which options are best for you and how to begin with a 401K.

Want to get started with a 401k? Do you have questions about retirement? Give Safe Retirement Solutions a call today at 410.266.1120 or click here. We serve the residents of Annapolis, Towson, and Columbia, Maryland as well as the residents of Saint Augustine, Florida.

You can also follow Safe Retirement Solutions today on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.

]]>http://saferetirementsolutions.com/blog/financial-advice/understanding-a-401k/feed/0The Benefits of Financial Planninghttp://saferetirementsolutions.com/blog/financial-advice/the-benefits-of-financial-planning/
http://saferetirementsolutions.com/blog/financial-advice/the-benefits-of-financial-planning/#commentsMon, 09 Jun 2014 13:14:38 +0000adminhttp://saferetirementsolutions.com/blog/?p=535Whether you’re looking forward to retirement in a few years, or even still have a decade to go, it’s important to be looking into a financial plan if you haven’t already. You may think that you’ve been saving for years and you have enough money to fund the rest of your life. However, this might be difficult without a set plan. You should be able to enjoy your retirement years with a care-free mindset. There are endless benefits to financial planning.

You know if you’re saving enough. Maybe you’ve been saving for years, but with your kids’ college expenses and other unplanned costs, have you been leaving enough money for future fees? A financial advisor can help you map out the rest of your financial life, making retirement a breeze.

You have a plan for your means in the occurrence of your death. It is important to know where your money is going, or who is it going to after your passing. Your financial advisor can help you figure out if you need a will or a trust. This way, if something happens to you unexpectedly, the allocation process goes smoothly.

A time frame. Setting a financial plan means that you have a specific objective. You are able to set time frames and specific numbers so that you know how close you are to your end goal. When you have reached that goal, you can enjoy your retirement years.

Financial planning is concrete. It is a written plan for your future costs and savings. It makes budgeting, buying, selling, or investing decisions easier and helps you stay on track towards retirement. Having a recorded plan for your future finances will definitely help you out and ease the retirement process.

Having a financial advisor or financial planner is not necessary, but it is recommended, as it will help your financial planning process to be stress-free. Safe Retirement Solutions can help you do just that. If you have any questions about financial planning or are looking for a financial advisor, call us at (410)-266-1120, or toll free at (877)-268-4086. We have offices in Annapolis MD, Towson MD, Columbia MD, and St. Augustine FL.

]]>http://saferetirementsolutions.com/blog/financial-advice/the-benefits-of-financial-planning/feed/0What is Medicare?http://saferetirementsolutions.com/blog/retirement-advice/what-is-medicare/
http://saferetirementsolutions.com/blog/retirement-advice/what-is-medicare/#commentsFri, 30 May 2014 15:35:11 +0000adminhttp://saferetirementsolutions.com/blog/?p=531One of the biggest questions people have about retirement is how they will manage to pay for their healthcare. When your body gets older, there are plenty of health problems that could potentially arise, for both you and your spouse. If serious, medical bills can become very costly and overwhelming to deal with. There is also the concern about medication. If certain ailments occur that require regular medication, costs can creep even higher when it comes to your healthcare. You find that when you originally planned for your retirement, healthcare wasn’t an area you planned for in full. So what do you do?

Medicare

A health program implemented by the government, Medicare provides insurance for Americans over the age of 65 along with disabled individuals. This health insurance program is used by over 55 million citizens. While not everything is covered with Medicare, it does assist with basic medical expenses. There are for parts to Medicare:

Part A- Most enrolls in this part of Medicare. Part A helps with hospice care, impatient care, and nursing facilities. This normally doesn’t require a paid premium.

Part B- This helps to cover therapy (occupational and physical), doctor services, outpatient care, and some home health care. Part B typically has a monthly premium.

Part C- With this part of Medicare, benefits are received through a Medicare Advantage. These benefits are managed by pre-approved insurance companies.

Part D- This part provides benefits for prescription drugs.

When it comes to understanding which part of Medicare is best for you, talk with your doctor about any conditions you currently have or could surface in the future.

Plan with Safe Retirement Solutions

When it comes to planning for healthcare after retirement, trust the advisors at Safe Retirement Solutions. At Safe Retirement Solutions, we help our clients plan for their retirement before they have even reached retirement age. We will answer all of your retirement questions and assist you with including healthcare in your retirement planning.

To start planning for your retirement, speak to one of our advisors today by calling toll free at (877)-268-4086 or by clicking here. You can also follow Safe Retirement Solutions today on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.

]]>http://saferetirementsolutions.com/blog/retirement-advice/what-is-medicare/feed/0How Should I Start Saving for Retirement?http://saferetirementsolutions.com/blog/retirement-advice/how-should-i-start-saving-for-retirement/
http://saferetirementsolutions.com/blog/retirement-advice/how-should-i-start-saving-for-retirement/#commentsSat, 24 May 2014 02:30:15 +0000adminhttp://saferetirementsolutions.com/blog/?p=528It doesn’t matter how old you are or how far away retirement is, it is never too early to start saving. But saving money that you will be living off of can be very intimidating. Where do you start? Most hard working individuals fear that they will outlive their retirement savings and are unsure of how they will survive. However, you won’t get to enjoy your retirement if you are constantly stressing about the future. Start saving now and keep your mind at ease for the future. Here are some tips to help you get started when it comes to saving for your retirement:

Baby steps- Saving doesn’t have to start big. Start setting aside small amounts each month and gradually build as you go.

What will you need?- Figure out a rough estimate of what you will need to survive during retirement. This will give you a starting point to work towards.

Help with employer’s plan- If your employer currently has a retirement plan in place, never hesitate to contribute.

Pension plans-Ask your employer if they have any pension plans and what they entail.

Invest smart- Consider the ways in which you save. Choose ways that will allow your money to grow the most without fees or risk.

Hands off- Never touch your savings. You will experience set backs like fees and loss of interest.

Start a plan with your employer- If your employer doesn’t have a retirement plan in place, ask them about starting one.

IRA- Open an Individual Retirement Account. You can choose between a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA.

Social Security- Look into your Social Security benefits. Knowing what you can expect from these benefits will aid in your planning process.

At Safe Retirement Solutions we strive to ensure our clients feel confident and comfortable when planning for their retirement. Our trained advisors will work with you to design a plan to help you save for your retirement. With Safe Retirement Solutions, goals can be made and met when it comes to saving for your retirement. To start saving for your retirement, call us at (410)-266-1120 or click here.

]]>http://saferetirementsolutions.com/blog/retirement-advice/how-should-i-start-saving-for-retirement/feed/0The Future of Retirementhttp://saferetirementsolutions.com/blog/financial-advice/the-future-of-retirement/
http://saferetirementsolutions.com/blog/financial-advice/the-future-of-retirement/#commentsTue, 13 May 2014 21:12:53 +0000adminhttp://saferetirementsolutions.com/blog/?p=522On May 13, 2014, Florida Senator Marco Rubio presented a speech discussing the future of retirement for Americans. His proposal would help younger Americans save for their future retirement while protecting programs for older Americans who are nearing retirement age. With Rubio’s plan, younger workers would be facing a higher retirement age, but there would be federal retirement accounts for all Americans to join.

Rubio was quoted by The Associated Press saying, “If ever there was an issue worthy of this solidarity, preserving a secure retirement for 21st century seniors is that issue.” Rubio is a Republican senator who is currently considering a presidential bid. Within his speech, he also promises older workers that their retirement would not be affected by his proposed plan. His plan outlines that as life expectancy rises, the retirement age should rise along with it. Within his proposed plan, Rubio suggests making the Congress retirement plan open to Americans, allowing those without retirement options through an employer access to several investment programs such as 401(k). This plan also suspends payroll taxes for Social Security for workers 65 years old or older who continue to work while also protecting workers 55 years old currently.

Our dedicated team of professionals will offer advice and guidance with your financial future as you start to consider your retirement future. The number one fear for retirees is that they will outlive their money set aside for retirement. At Safe Retirement Solutions, we help you set goals for your retirement and aid you in implementing plans and strategies to make your goals obtainable. Our advisors will sit down with you to determine what you eligible for in terms of retirement and help you to look at all of your options. Thinking about your retirement can be overwhelming and daunting, but with Safe Retirement Solutions, you can rest easy knowing all of your questions will be answered and no detail will go unnoticed.

Visit one of our offices located in Annapolis, Towson and Columbia, Maryland as well as our office in Saint Augustine, Florida. You can call to set up an appointment at (410)-266-1120, or toll free at (877)-268-4086. You can also submit an online form here. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.